Tributes to Stan ‘the man’ Sunderland

Stan Sunderland

Tributes have been made to Stan ‘the man’ Sunderland following his death. Stan died at his home in Castleton on Friday 14 August at the age of 57.

Stan was born in Heywood on 27 July 1958 and lived locally for most of his life.

Known by people all across the borough, Stan had a number of nicknames including “Stan the Man” the accountant, “Stan the Man” the photographer and “Stan the man” the practical joker.

Stan spent time living on Ashfield Road, Rochdale and lived in Deeplish after inheriting his grandma’s house. He then went on to build a house in Norden, opposite the Star Inn, with his brother Eddie. The house was eventually sold and Stan moved to Castleton.

Stan spent time as an accountant and did the accounts for many of the taxi ranks in Rochdale. He was also a wedding photographer.

Speaking about Stan, long-time friend Alex Smith said: “He was a very kind-hearted person and was a very spiritually minded person. He will be missed. A lot of people have been in touch since his death was announced with messages and there will be a lot of taxi drivers who are going to miss him. When I spoke to one of them, he was surprised and said he was a genuinely nice man.

“I knew him closely from 1992. I was 17 and rented a room from him. He went on to become my accountant and he helped me with my shows. He eventually paid for a PA system for me because I was hiring them and it was costing too much, but I couldn’t get the funds to buy one myself. He never let me pay him back for it either.”

Stan often did wedding photography at the Norton Grange and he would often been seen in the Flying Horse before having to go out and do the outside pictures.

Leah Jackson, who worked with Stan when he was doing wedding photography, described him as “the life and soul of the party” and agreed that he would be missed by many.

He leaves behind his brother Eddie and sisters Jackie and Carol.

Stan’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 16 September at St Chad’s Parish Church, Rochdale. The service will be held at 1pm and will be followed by burial at Heywood Cemetery.

People are invited to share their memories of Stan at The Plough on Bolton Road, Rochdale.

All are welcome to attend.